Geeks To Go is a helpful hub, where thousands of volunteer geeks quickly serve friendly answers and support. Check out the forums and get free advice from the experts. Register now to gain access to all of our features, it's FREE and only takes one minute. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more.

Can't 'switch user' in Windows XP

Zen Pirate

Posted 18 October 2008 - 09:45 AM

Zen Pirate

New Member

Member

6 posts

I've found similar posts but nothing that is exactly the same, so here goes...

1) In XP, I select log off, switch user, then I am returned to the main windows screen / welcome page.
2) The user accounts are displayed, but the one I am logged on to does not show me as being logged on.
It used to show who was logged on, but not anymore.
3) I select another account, this is followed by a brief glimpse of the desktop wallpaper in the account
which is already logged on, then a return to the welcome page.

So, it seems that I can no longer have multiple users being logged on at the same time.
The same thing happens if I leave the PC for a while, then return to the main screen by
reactivating (i.e. by moving the mous).

I've noticed that the PC is quite slow starting up these days and also there is an occasional
error message when shutting down. I haven't been able to capture this error message as it disappears
too quickly, but it is along the lines of being 'unable to read something in the registry'. I have
no way of knowing whether this contributes to the problem, but I thought I'd mention it.
Any advice gratefully received.

Advertisements

Zen Pirate

Posted 19 October 2008 - 05:33 AM

Zen Pirate

New Member

Topic Starter

Member

6 posts

Well I seem to have this sorted out now.

What I did was (the usual) Windows XP restore from a time several weeks ago when I knew that the PC was ok.

This wasn't as straightforward as it should have been, as I had many problems with Norton 360 before I finally
got the PC back to a fully working state. (This is the first restore that I have done since getting Norton 360).